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mercenaries that were promised to Gwenwynwyn came from?" |
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A little silence fell. Ian had been reasonably sure that it was the king's men who held Kemp against him. He had guessed that the castellan had refused to resist unless the mercenaries were sent inside the castle. The first castellan had depended upon the king's promise to send men to attack Ian's force from behind. Why John had failed, Ian was not sure. The men may have been engaged elsewhere; the king might have been in one of his slothful periods when it was simply too much trouble to write a letter. The reason was not important. The second castellan had learned a lesson from the taking of the first keep and had yielded. He had been put out, of course, but had suffered no other harm. Obviously, the third wanted better assurance from John than a promise. Ian hoped the mercenaries had told the castellan they were leaving and had given him a chance to yield. He hoped they had not merely turned on the garrison of the keep and slaughtered them. |
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"I did not think you in any real danger," Salisbury said softly, looking aside. "I would have sent you word if I thought" |
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"You were quite right, William," Ian said quickly. |
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"What is it you wish us to do, Lord Salisbury?" Alinor asked. |
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"I would like Ian to go where the king's power does not run or is not strong. Not for long, Lady Alinor. I have some influence with my brother, but I need time. I am sorry to say it, but John will be He will not be pleased by Ian's escape or Llewelyn's easy victory over Gwenwynwyn. I believe, and Ian agrees with me, that John hoped for a war in Wales that would weaken both Llewelyn and Gwenwynwyn so that" |
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"Yes, I see that, and I see that he would blame Ian for the failure of that plan also." |
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"Alinor," Ian warned sharply. |
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She shook her head at him. "I do not blame the king |
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